Indian Culture and Heritage

Indian Culture and Heritage is one of the most important and high-scoring topics in SSC CGL General Awareness. Every year, 3 to 5 questions directly come from this section across different shifts. This chapter covers the complete cultural landscape of India - festivals, classical dance forms, classical music, painting traditions, Indian costumes and martial arts. Students who prepare this chapter thoroughly gain a significant advantage because these questions are factual, predictable and can be answered in seconds with proper preparation.

1. Festivals of India (त्योहार/उत्सव)

Festivals are one of the most regularly asked topics in SSC CGL. Questions focus on which festival belongs to which state, what occasion it celebrates, and what its unique features are.

1.1 Festivals of North and Central India

• Nag Panchami
  • Celebrated in the Hindu month of Shravan (Sawan)
  • On this day, Lord Shiva and the serpent deity are worshipped
  • Observed across India with special significance in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
• Lokrang Festival
  • Organized in Madhya Pradesh every year starting from January 26
  • Five-day cultural festival showcasing folk arts
  • Other major festivals of Madhya Pradesh: Mandu Mahotsav, Bhagoriya Haat Mahotsav, Malwa Utsav, Tansen Sahitya Mahotsav, Khajuraho Mahotsav
• Bastar Dussehra
  • A ten-day festival of Chhattisgarh
  • Its origins trace back to the 13th century during the reign of Raja Purushottam Dev of Bastar
  • Celebrated with unique tribal traditions different from mainstream Dussehra
• Phool Dei
  • Celebrated in Uttarakhand during the Chaitra month when snow melts from high mountains
  • People welcome spring by placing red flowers of the Buransh tree on doorsteps
  • Symbolizes the end of winter and beginning of spring
• Dola Jatra (Dol Utsav)
  • Celebrated in West Bengal one day before Holi
  • An important spring festival of Bengal
• Me-Dum-Me-Phi
  • Festival of Assam's Ahom community
  • Celebrated every year on January 31
  • The most important ancestor worship festival of Assam
  • People honor deceased ancestors and remember their contributions to society

1.2 Festivals of South India

• Guruvayur Ekadashi
  • Cultural festival of Kerala
  • Observed on Ekadashi (eleventh day) of the bright fortnight of the Malayalam month Vrischikam
  • Celebrated at the famous Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple
  • A grand elephant procession (Anayoottu) marks the occasion
• Pongal
  • Four-day harvest festival of Tamil Nadu
  • The word Pongal literally means "to boil over" or "to overflow"
  • On this day, jaggery and rice are boiled and offered to the Sun God
  • Four days of Pongal:
    • First day: Bhogi Pongal
    • Second day: Thai Pongal (Surya Pongal) - the most important day
    • Third day: Mattu Pongal
    • Fourth day: Kannum Pongal (also called Kanni Pongal)
  • This festival is similar to Makar Sankranti celebrated in North India
• Jallikattu
  • Famous bull-taming festival of Tamil Nadu
  • Organized every year during Pongal
  • Approximately 2000 years old
  • Considered a traditional method of preserving purebred bulls for the farming community
  • A competitive and traditional game
• Makaravilakku
  • Annual festival celebrated grandly at Sabarimala, Kerala
  • Observed on Makar Sankranti (January 14)
  • On this auspicious day, the idol of Lord Ayyappa is installed in the temple
  • Devotees undertake a rigorous pilgrimage to Sabarimala before this festival
• Rotela Panduga (Rotiyaan ki Eid)
  • Annual three-day festival held at the famous Nellore Dargah in Andhra Pradesh
  • Represents communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims

1.3 Festivals of East and Northeast India

• Bihu
  • Main festival of Assam - celebrated three times a year:
    • Rangoli or Bohag Bihu (April) - Assamese New Year and spring festival
    • Kongali or Kati Bihu (October) - harvest festival
    • Bhogali or Magh Bihu (January) - end of harvest season
  • Bihu dance is the most popular folk dance of Assam
  • Bhortal dance is also associated with the Bihu festival (performed around Barpeeta, Assam)
• Tea Festival
  • Celebrated every year in Jorhat, Assam
  • Showcases Assam's rich tea culture and heritage
• Kali Puja (Mahakali Puja / Shyama Puja)
  • Hindu festival observed on the Amavasya (new moon) of Kartik month
  • Predominantly observed in West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha and Assam
  • Dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali
  • On this same night, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja are celebrated across India

1.4 Festivals of West India

• Modhera Dance Festival
  • Organized by the Gujarat government in Mehsana district
  • Named after the famous Modhera Sun Temple
  • Showcases classical dance performances
• Sao Joao (Saoji Joaao)
  • Celebrated on June 24 in Goa
  • People present fruits as gifts to the in-laws of friends
  • The Mango Festival (also known as Juicy Festival) is hosted by Goa's Agriculture Department on this occasion
• Uttarayan
  • The name for Makar Sankranti (the harvest festival) in Gujarat
  • The same festival is known as Lohri in Punjab
  • An International Kite Festival is organized every year during Uttarayan in Gujarat

1.5 Festivals of Himalayan and Island Regions

• Paro Tschechu
  • Famous festival of Bhutan
  • Celebrated on the tenth day of a lunar month coinciding with the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava)
  • Features mask dances and colorful Bhutanese folk performances
• Hemis Festival
  • One of the largest and most famous religious festivals of Ladakh
  • A two-day Buddhist festival
  • Celebrated on the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism
  • Lamas perform sacred Cham mask dances
  • The main venue is the Hemis Gompa (monastery) - the largest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh
• Losar Utsav
  • Origins trace to the Tibetan New Year
  • Celebrated in Ladakh at the end of the harvest season every year
  • Also observed across Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and northern Jammu-Kashmir
• Sangken
  • Celebrated from April 14 to 16 as a traditional New Year
  • Observed by Theravada Buddhist communities of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
• Hemis and Sakewa - Important Distinction:
  • Hemis - Buddhist festival - Ladakh
  • Sakewa - religious festival of Sikkim's Kirat and Khamburay communities
  • Sakewa is also known as Bhumi Puja or Chandi Puja (worship of Mother Earth)
  • Begins on the Purnima of Hindu month Vaishakh - generally celebrated in April-May

1.6 Other Important Festivals

• Easter
  • Celebrated to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ
  • According to the Bible, Jesus was revived three days after crucifixion
  • Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion itself
• Dasain (Dashain)
  • The largest Hindu festival of Nepal
  • Begins a day before Navratri
  • Lasts 15 days, during which nine days are devoted to worship of Goddess Durga
• Diwali (Deepavali)
  • Celebrated on the Amavasya of the Hindu month Kartik
  • According to Hindu belief, Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya on this day after killing Ravana and completing 14 years of exile
  • People of Ayodhya lit ghee lamps to celebrate his return - this began the tradition of Diwali in India
• Durga Puja
  • Celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura
• Raksha Bandhan
  • Associated with the phrase "Tie of Protection" in English
• Bandi Chhor Divas
  • The Sikh equivalent of Diwali
  • On this day, the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib freed himself along with 52 imprisoned kings from Mughal captivity
  • Hence, Sikhs celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas
• Lai Haraoba
  • One of the main festivals of Manipur for the Meitei-Meitai community
  • Its literal meaning is "merrymaking of the gods" (Merry Making of the Gods)
  • Done to please the deity Umang Lai of Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion)
• Dhanu Jatra (Dol Jatra)
  • 11-day festival celebrated in Bargarh city, Odisha and its surrounding areas
  • Festival began in 1948
  • Based on the mythological story of Lord Krishna and his uncle Kansa Maharaj
  • Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest "Open Air Theatre Festival" in the world

Important One-Liners - Festivals:

• Nag Panchami - Shravan month - Lord Shiva and serpent deity worshipped
• Paro Tschechu - Bhutan - Guru Padmasambhava's birth anniversary
• Guruvayur Ekadashi - Kerala - Krishna temple - elephant procession
• Pongal - Tamil Nadu - four-day harvest festival - "to boil over"
• Fourth day of Pongal - Kannum Pongal (Kanni Pongal)
• Bastar Dussehra - Chhattisgarh - ten-day festival - 13th century origin
• Bihu - Assam - celebrated three times a year
• Tea Festival - Jorhat, Assam
• Hemis - Ladakh - Buddhist festival - Guru Padmasambhava's birth
• Raksha Bandhan - "Tie of Protection"
• Modhera Dance Festival - Mehsana, Gujarat
• Bandi Chhor Divas - Sikh - Diwali coincidence - Guru Hargobind Sahib freed 52 kings
• Losar Utsav - Tibetan New Year origin - Ladakh - harvest season end
• Lokrang - Madhya Pradesh - starts January 26 - five days
• Diwali - Kartik Amavasya
• Jallikattu - Tamil Nadu - bull taming - during Pongal - 2000 years old
• Easter - resurrection of Jesus Christ
• Dasain - Nepal - largest Hindu festival - 15 days
• Makaravilakku - Sabarimala, Kerala - Makar Sankranti
• Kali Puja - Kartik Amavasya - West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha, Assam
• Sakewa - Sikkim - Kirat community - Vaishakh Purnima
• Sangken - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam - Theravada Buddhist New Year - April 14-16
• Durga Puja - victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura
• Uttarayan - Gujarat name for Makar Sankranti
• Me-Dum-Me-Phi - Assam - Ahom community - January 31 - ancestor worship
• Sao Joao - Goa - June 24 - fruit gifting festival
• Lai Haraoba - Manipur - Meitei community - "merrymaking of the gods"
• Rotela Panduga - Nellore, Andhra Pradesh - annual three-day Dargah festival
• Dhanu Jatra - Bargarh, Odisha - 11 days - Guinness record - largest open-air theatre

2. Classical Dance Forms of India

India has eight major classical dance forms recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. SSC CGL regularly asks questions about which dance belongs to which state, its key exponents, and related terms and awards.

2.1 Bharatanatyam

• Oldest and most prominent classical dance of India
• Originated in Tamil Nadu
• Expresses the religious subjects of South India and the spiritual ideas of Shaivism
• A solo female dance - performed only by women
• Six parts of Bharatanatyam performance:
  • Alarippu
  • Jatiswaram
  • Shabdam
  • Varnam
  • Padam
  • Tillana
• The person who recites poetry during Bharatanatyam performance is called Nattuvanar
• Developed from the Natyashastra of Bharatamuni
• Kalakshetra style is associated with Bharatanatyam
• Rukmini Devi Arundale - founder of Kalakshetra school of Bharatanatyam - awarded Padma Bhushan in 1956
  • Born in Bhadura, Tamil Nadu in 1904
  • Received Sangeet Natak Award in 1957 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1976
• Famous Bharatanatyam exponents: Yamini Krishnamurti, Anita Ratnam, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Sonal Mansingh

2.2 Kathak

• Classical dance of North India - originated in Uttar Pradesh
• Performed mainly as a temple or village presentation originally
• Three main Gharanas (schools) of Kathak:
  • Lucknow Gharana - known for grace and expression
  • Jaipur Gharana - known for fast footwork and energy
  • Banaras Gharana - founded by Janaaki Prasad
• Raigad Gharana - newest among all Kathak gharanas
  • Established by Pandit Jayalal, Pandit Sitaram, Hanuman Prasad (Jaipur Gharana) and Pandit Achchan Maharaj, Pandit Lachu Maharaj (Lucknow Gharana) under the patronage of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh of Raigad
• Famous Kathak exponents: Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Shaswhati Sen, Urmila Nagar
• Birju Maharaj - won Filmfare Award 2016 for choreography of "Mohe Rang Do Laal" in film Bajirao Mastani
• Kamalini and Nalini Asthana - awarded Padma Shri 2022 for promoting Kathak internationally

2.3 Odissi

• Classical dance of Odisha
• Related to sculpture movements of Odisha's temple art
• Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Puraskar festival is named after the legendary Odissi dance exponent
• Famous exponents: Sonal Mansingh, Alarmel Valli
• Padmaja Reddi - Kuchipudi dancer also known for Odissi - awarded Padma Shri 2022 - runs Pranava Samstha dance academy - first dancer from Telangana to receive Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2015

2.4 Kuchipudi

• Classical dance of Andhra Pradesh
• Emerged from the folk drama "Kuchipudi Yakshagana" - named after the village Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh
• Credit for organizing Kuchipudi Yakshagana art goes to Siddendra Yogi
• Yamini Krishnamurti - famous for both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi - awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan - autobiography: "A Passion for Dance"
• V. Satyanarayana Sharma - associated with Kuchipudi - awarded Padma Shri

2.5 Sattriya

• Originated in Assam in the 15th century
• Founded and propagated by the great Vaishnava saint and reformer Srimanta Shankardev
• Hence Shankardev is also called the founder of this dance form
• Important contributors: choreographer Maniram Bayan Muktiyar and Yatin Goswami
• Maati-Akhora is a term/element associated with Sattriya dance
• Ramkrishna Talukdar - received Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar 2018 for contribution to Sattriya

2.6 Manipuri

• Classical dance of Manipur
• Lai Haraoba is the early/initial form of Manipuri classical dance
• Guru Bipin Singh - director, choreographer and guru of Manipuri dance style
• Famous exponents: Akham Laxmi Devi, Savita Devi, Kalavati Devi

2.7 Kathakali

• Classical dance drama of Kerala
• Combination of music and performance
• Nalcharitam drama is associated with Kathakali dance style
• Mrinalini Sarabhai - famous for Bharatanatyam and Kathakali

2.8 Mohiniyattam

• Classical dance of Kerala
• Performed by women
• Graceful and lyrical style

2.9 Folk Dances - State-wise

• Jhinka Dasai - Santhal tribe - Jharkhand (Paikha and Golbari dances also performed by Santhals)
• Bhortal dance - Assam - performed around Barpeeta during Bihu - highly energetic
• Nati - Himachal Pradesh - group performance with musicians - led by a man holding Chavar (fly whisk)
• Changi - Nagaland (Other Nagaland folk dances: Aaluphut, Kuki dance, Leshaphut, Regma, Mayur dance)
• Jamdah - Jharkhand (Other Jharkhand folk dances: Chhau, Paika, Fagua, Firkaal, Lahsua, Domkach, Jhummar, Panta)
• Raout Naach - Chhattisgarh - Yadav community - performed on Diwali - mainly men and boys participate
• Thabla Chonga - Manipur - folk dance
• Hojagiri - Tripura - performed by Riang tribe's women and young girls - Satyaram Riyangm received Padma Shri for promoting it
• Kummi - Kerala and Tamil Nadu - women standing in a circle, rhythmic clapping without instruments
• Chari - Rajasthan - women balance earthen/brass pot (Chari) on head with burning lamp inside
• Kummattikali (Kummodi) - Malabar coast, Kerala - colorful mask dance - performers go door to door during Onam
• Bhavai - northern Rajasthan and Gujarat - women balance seven to nine brass pots on head
• Kalyabeliya - Rajasthan - Kalbeliya tribe women - recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Ponng and Tapu - Arunachal Pradesh
• Viahula Gidda - Punjab - performed during weddings, also during Teej festival
• Javara dance - Madhya Pradesh (Bundelkhand) - harvest celebration - women balance baskets of Javara on head
• Thoda - Himachal Pradesh - war dance - inspired by Mahabharat era - performed at Bishu Mela by Shati and Pashi communities
• Cham dance - Himachal Pradesh (Kinnaur, Lahul-Spiti, Ladakh) - performed by Buddhists to ward off evil spirits
• Dangee (Depak) - Himachal Pradesh - Gaddi tribe women - performed at fairs
• Lava - Minicoy Island (Lakshadweep) - popular folk dance (others: Thaara, Dandi, Phuli, Bandiya)
• Kandian - Sri Lanka - common dance style
• Raaut Naach - Chhattisgarh - Yadav community - Diwali
• Kud - Jammu and Kashmir - Khemraj received Sangeet Natak Akademi award for contribution to this folk dance

Important Padma Award Winners and Dance Associations:

• Yamini Krishnamurti - Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi
• Sonal Mansingh - Bharatanatyam and Odissi
• Alarmel Valli - Bharatanatyam and Odissi
• Mrinalini Sarabhai - Bharatanatyam and Kathakali
• Rukmini Devi Arundale - Bharatanatyam - Kalakshetra school founder
• Kumudini Lakhia - Kathak - founded Kadamb School of Dance and Music (1964) in Ahmedabad
• Kumudini Lakhia first learned from various Jaipur Gharana gurus and then from Shambhu Maharaj
• V. Satyanarayana Sharma - Kuchipudi - Padma Shri
• Padmaja Reddi - Kuchipudi - Padma Shri 2022
• Kamalini and Nalini Asthana - Kathak - Padma Shri 2022
• Birju Maharaj - Kathak - Filmfare 2016 - Bajirao Mastani
• Natraj dancer (2019 Padma Shri) - awarded for using Bharatanatyam to fight social discrimination
• Joravarsingh Jadhav - Gujarati folk dance Bhavai - Padma Shri 2019

Important One-Liners - Classical Dance:

• Sattriya - Assam - 15th century - Srimanta Shankardev
• Jhinka Dasai - Santhal tribe - Jharkhand
• Maati-Akhora - Sattriya dance
• Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Puraskar - Odissi dance
• Lai Haraoba - Manipuri - early form - Guru Bipin Singh
• Uday Shankar - father of modern dance in India (had no classical training originally)
• Nalcharitam - Kathakali drama
• Kathak - three main gharanas - Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras - Banaras Gharana founded by Janaaki Prasad
• Bharatanatyam - Tamil Nadu - solo female dance - six parts - Nattuvanar recites poetry
• Bhortal dance - Assam - Barpeeta area - Bihu time - highly energetic
• Hojagiri - Tripura - Riang tribe
• Changi - Nagaland
• Jamdah - Jharkhand
• Kummattikali - Malabar, Kerala - Onam - mask dance
• Chari dance - Rajasthan - pot balancing on head
• Kalyabeliya - Rajasthan - UNESCO Intangible Heritage 2010
• Bhavai - Rajasthan and Gujarat - brass pot balancing
• Kandian - Sri Lanka
• Raout Naach - Chhattisgarh - Yadav community - Diwali
• Thabla Chonga - Manipur
• Kumudini Lakhia - Kathak - Kadamb School 1964 - Ahmedabad
• Birju Maharaj - Kathak - Filmfare 2016 - Bajirao Mastani

3. Classical Music of India

India has two major classical music traditions. SSC CGL asks regularly about famous musicians, their instruments, gharanas, and awards.

3.1 Two Schools of Indian Classical Music

• Hindustani Classical Music - North Indian style
  • Influenced by Persian and Islamic music over centuries
  • Vocal forms: Dhrupad, Dhamar, Tarana, Khyal, Tappa, Hori, Chaturang, Rasasagar, Sargam, Thumri
  • Dhrupad is considered the oldest form of Hindustani classical music - created by Swami Haridas
  • Pakhawaj is the percussion instrument associated with Hindustani music - the dhol of North Indian classical music
• Carnatic Classical Music - South Indian style
  • Trinity of Carnatic Music (Trimurtis): Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri
  • All three lived in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu and composed music there

3.2 Important String Instruments (Taar Vadya)

• Sitar
  • A blend of Veena and Iranian Tambura
  • Invented by Amir Khusro
  • Famous sitar players: Shahid Parvez Khan, Budhaditya Mukherjee, Anoushka Shankar, Har Shankar Bhattacharya, Ustad Vilayat Khan
  • Ravi Shankar was awarded "Aaftab-e-Sitar" (Sun of Sitar) by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
  • Ustad Vilayat Khan developed his own distinct style of sitar playing
• Sarod
  • Associated with Ustad Alauddin Khan
  • Made of coconut shell, tun wood, drone, deer skin and ivory
  • Alauddin Khan is named in connection with this instrument
• Sarangi
  • Associated with Pandit Ram Narayan
  • He popularized Sarangi as a solo classical instrument
  • He also became the first international music performer on Sarangi
  • Born in 1927 in Rajasthan
• Veena (Saraswati Veena)
  • Made from Katahal (jackfruit) wood
  • Has seven strings
  • Used in Carnatic classical music

3.3 Important Percussion Instruments (Avanadha Vadya)

• Tabla
  • Alla Rakha (Abbaji) - famous tabla player
    • Made a music album with American jazz drummer Buddy Rich in 1968
  • His son Zakir Hussain is also a world-famous tabla player
    • Part of the band "Planet Drum" with Mickey Hart, Sikiru Adepoju and Giovanni Hidalgo
    • Their debut album won Grammy for Best World Music Album in 1992 - the first Grammy in this category
  • Pandit Kishan Maharaj (Banaras Gharana) - tabla player who could also play Pakhawaj, Mridangam, Dhol
• Pakhawaj
  • Associated with the Dhrupad style of Hindustani music
  • Totaram Sharma is associated with Pakhawaj
• Ghatam
  • Clay pot percussion instrument
  • T.H. Vinayakam is associated with Ghatam
• Instrument-Artiste Correct Pairs (SSC CGL asked repeatedly):
  • Tabla - Ustad Alla Rakha
  • Pakhawaj - Totaram Sharma
  • Ghatam - T.H. Vinayakam
  • Sitar - Ravi Shankar / Vilayat Khan
  • Sarod - Alauddin Khan
  • Sarangi - Pandit Ram Narayan
  • Shehnai - Bismillah Khan
  • Sarod - NOT Pandit Ram Narayan (common exam trap)

3.4 Important Wind Instruments (Sushira Vadya)

• Shehnai
  • Also known as "Mangal Vadya" (auspicious instrument)
  • Bismillah Khan - most famous Shehnai player
    • First Indian to perform at Lincoln Center Hall, USA
  • Bismillah Khan was invited to perform at Lincoln Center Hall, USA
• Bansuri (Flute)
  • Pannalal Ghosh - famous flautist
    • Real name: Amal Jyoti Ghosh
    • Disciple of Alauddin Khan
    • Born in Barasat, Bengal (now Bangladesh)
    • Called "Bansuri ka Masiha" (Messiah of flute)

3.5 Important String-cum-Percussion Instruments

• Santoor
  • Kashmiri folk instrument
  • Indian name: "Shatatantri Veena"
  • Pandit Shivkumar Sharma - most famous Santoor exponent
    • Born in Jammu in the home of vocalist Pandit Uma Datt Sharma
    • Wife's name: Manorama Sharma
    • Awarded Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Vibhushan in 2001

3.6 Important Vocalists and Their Styles

• M.S. Subbulakshmi (Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi)
  • Great Carnatic vocalist
  • Born September 16, 1916 in Madurai (Tamil Nadu)
  • First musician to receive Bharat Ratna (1998)
  • Received Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1974 - first Indian musician to receive it
  • First Indian to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966
  • Associated with Carnatic music
• Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
  • Associated with Hindustani classical music
• Aruna Sairam, T.M. Krishna and Gayatri Girish - associated with Carnatic music
• Fayaz Khan - famous Hindustani classical vocalist - Agra Gharana exponent
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - famous Qawwali singer of Sufi style

3.7 Important Instrumentalists and Their Instruments

• U. Shrinivas (Uppalapu Shrinivas) - Indian Mandolin player and composer of Carnatic music
  • Sometimes called "the Mozart of classical music"
  • Born in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh
  • Awarded Padma Shri in 1998
• Pandit Ram Narayan - Sarangi
• Alauddin Khan - Sarod
• Ravi Shankar - Sitar
• Vilayat Khan - Sitar
• Bismillah Khan - Shehnai
• Shivkumar Sharma - Santoor
• Pannalal Ghosh - Bansuri (Flute)
• Alla Rakha - Tabla
• Zakir Hussain - Tabla

3.8 Important Gharanas of Hindustani Music

• Vishnupur Gharana - West Bengal (Bankura district) - associated with Dhrupad tradition
  • Jadunath Bhattacharya was its famous musician
• Specific Dhrupad style - associated with Vishnupur Gharana

3.9 Folk Music

• Bhavaiya - folk song style of West Bengal, Assam and parts of Bangladesh
• Marafati songs - traditional folk songs of Bangladesh
  • Other major folk songs of Bangladesh: Bhatiyali, Baul, Murshidi
• Chyaap-Brung - traditional instrument of the Limbu community of Sikkim
  • Limbu community is of Tibetan origin - lives in Sikkim, Assam, Nagaland and also in Nepal, Bhutan

Important One-Liners - Music:

• Sitar - invented by Amir Khusro - blend of Veena and Iranian Tambura
• Sarod - Alauddin Khan - coconut shell, tun wood, deer skin, ivory
• Santoor - Kashmiri folk - Shatatantri Veena - Shivkumar Sharma - Padma Shri 1991
• Sarangi - Pandit Ram Narayan - solo classical instrument
• Carnatic Trinity - Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Shyama Shastri - Thanjavur
• M.S. Subbulakshmi - Carnatic - Bharat Ratna 1998 - Ramon Magsaysay 1974
• Shehnai - Mangal Vadya (auspicious instrument) - Bismillah Khan
• Bismillah Khan - first Indian at Lincoln Center Hall, USA
• Alla Rakha - tabla - "Abbaji" - album with Buddy Rich 1968
• Pannalal Ghosh - flute - "Bansuri ka Masiha" - disciple of Alauddin Khan
• Chyaap-Brung - traditional instrument - Limbu community - Sikkim
• U. Shrinivas - Mandolin - Carnatic - "Mozart of classical music" - Padma Shri 1998
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Qawwali - Sufi style
• Vishnupur Gharana - West Bengal - Dhrupad tradition
• Dhrupad - oldest form of Hindustani classical music - created by Swami Haridas

4. Painting Traditions of India

4.1 Bagh Cave Paintings

• Located in Madhya Pradesh
• Declared a National Monument by the Government of India in 1953
• Associated with both Buddhism and Hinduism
• Total number of caves: 9
• Construction period: 5th to 6th centuries CE
• Types of caves:
  • First cave: Griha Gufa
  • Second cave: Pandava Gufa
  • Fourth cave: Rang Mahal Gufa
  • Third and fifth caves: associated with Buddhism

4.2 Kalamkari

• Hand-painted art on cotton fabric
• Practiced in South India, particularly Andhra Pradesh
• One of the most ancient folk arts
• The name comes from "kalam" (pen) + "kari" (work) - because the painting is done with a bamboo pen
• Process:
  • Figures are outlined with bamboo pen dipped in a mixture of alum and cow's milk
  • Then filled with natural colors derived from cow dung, seeds, flowers and leaves
• Kalamkari is the answer to the question: "which art is associated with hand-painted cotton fabric in South India"

4.3 Other Important Painting Styles (SSC Context)

• Madhubani Painting - Bihar - wall paintings and paper paintings - geometric patterns
• Warli Painting - Maharashtra - tribal art - circular patterns
• Pattachitra - Odisha - scroll painting - religious themes
• Miniature Painting - Rajasthan and Mughal courts

5. Indian Traditional Costumes

• Gamcha
  • Cultural symbol of Assam
  • A type of shawl/cloth
  • Represents the unique identity of Assamese society
  • Also known as "Bihuwaan" in Assam
• Rehuk Khim (Kauri Shawl)
  • Traditional dress of Nagaland
• Chikankari
  • Lucknow is world-famous for this embroidery style
  • One of the most traditional embroidery styles in India

6. Martial Arts of India (Yuddha Kala)

6.1 State-wise Martial Arts

• Kalaripayattu - Kerala - the oldest martial art of India
  • Considered the mother of all martial arts
  • Involves strikes, kicks, weapons training and healing techniques
• Lathi - Punjab and West Bengal
  • Form of stick-based martial art
  • In Punjab, a version of Lathi Kala is also seen in the Sikh martial art Gatka
• Mardani Khel - Maharashtra
  • Traditional Maratha martial art
  • Created by Marathas using weapons
• Thang-Ta - Manipur
  • Armed martial art using sword and spear
  • Part of Manipur's ancient martial tradition

Important One-Liners - Painting, Costume, Martial Arts:

• Bagh Cave Paintings - Madhya Pradesh - National Monument 1953 - nine caves - 5th-6th century
• Kalamkari - South India (Andhra Pradesh) - cotton fabric - hand-painted - bamboo pen + cow's milk
• Gamcha - cultural symbol of Assam - also called Bihuwaan
• Rehuk Khim (Kauri Shawl) - Nagaland
• Lucknow - world-famous for Chikankari
• Kalaripayattu - Kerala - oldest martial art of India
• Lathi - Punjab and West Bengal - also part of Sikh Gatka tradition
• Mardani Khel - Maharashtra - Maratha weapon-based martial art
• Thang-Ta - Manipur - armed martial art